Hinge construction

ABSTRACT

A hinge arrangement for supporting a member on a support structure along opposite sides thereof and for selective hinging movement about either one of the sides. The hinge arrangement includes a pair of hinges of which each includes a pair of hinge elements along each side of the member and movable laterally relative to each other. The hinge elements are constructed such that upon the elevation of one of the sides of the support member from a horizontal position to a position above the other side, the hinge elements are moved laterally along the uppermost hinge elements to a locked position to provide a hinge connection and the lowermost hinge elements are separated or unlocked to permit swinging movement about the hinge connection.

United States Patent 1151 3,685,093 Sanders et a1. 14 1 Aug. 22, 1972 1541 HINGE CONSTRUCTION 721 Inventors: Wes E. Sanders, 1922 E. 96th St., Gay

Chicago, 111. 60617; John W. Allen, 2226 Evans, Flossmoor, 111. 60422 [22] Filed: July 18, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 842,950

[52] US. Cl. ..16/l47, 16/179, 49/193, 16/171 [51] Int. Cl. ..E05d 15/50 [58] Field of Search ..16/147,171,172,173,174,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,539,802 11/1970 Garnett et a1 16/147 2,201,370 5/1940 Julien ..16/147 2,349,486 5/1944 Crosman 1 6/147 2,644,556 7/1953 Ledbetter 49/193 3,231,218 1/1966 Tearne ..16/147 Assistant Examiner-Darrell Marquette Atr0rney-Sabin C. Bronson ABSTRACT A hinge arrangement for supporting a member on a support structure along opposite sides thereof and for selective hinging movement about either one of the sides. The hinge arrangement includes a pair of hinges of which each includes a pair of hinge elements along each side of the member and movable laterally relative to each other. The hinge elements are constructed such that upon the elevation of one of the sides of the support member from a horizontal position to a position above the other side, the hinge elements are moved laterally along the uppermost hinge elements to a locked position to provide a hinge connection and the lowermost hinge elements are separated or unlocked to permit swinging movement about the hinge connection.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDmszz m2 SHED 1 Bf 2 INVENTORS JOHN W ALLEN PA T ENTED I972 3.685.093

sum 2 0r 2 IN VENTORS JOHN WALLEN WES E. SANDERS 8% (@M ATT'Y.

HINGE cons'mucnou BACKGROUND SUMMARY DRAWINGS The present invention relates to a hinge arrangement and more particularly to a new and novel hinge attachment for selectively hinging a member about either one of the opposite edges thereof.

The hinge arrangement of the present invention is particularly adapted for use in equipment where it is required to periodically separate a member such as a platform or the like from a support and to maintain the platform hinged to the support for easy and simple repositioning or assembly to its original position on the support.

The hinge arrangement generally comprises a pair of laterally spaced hinges of which each of the hinges includes hinge elements. One of each of the hinge elements is fastened to the support structure and the remaining one of the hinge elements is connected along an associated side of a movable member. The hinge elements are constructed so as to be laterally movable relative to each other upon lateral movement of the platfonn and elevation along one side thereof whereby the hinged elements along the raised side causes the hinge elements to lock and the hinge elements along the lower side to separate or unlock whereby the member is swingable about the locked hinge members. To return the separated hinge elements into engagement along each side, the hinge elements are returned to a horizontal position and the member laterally shifted so that both hinges along the opposite edges support the member.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings forming part of this application and wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view partially in cross section showing the hinge arrangement of the present invention applied to a support structure and a platform supported on the support structure;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view taken generally along the lines 22 of FIG. 1 and showing one of the hinge elements attached to the support structure;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one of the hinge elements shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the support structure and the platform and the relative position of the hinge elements when the support structure has been turned approxi mately 90 from the horizontal position shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view showing the relative positions of the support structure and platform when the support structure has been turned about l25 from the original horizontal position of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a hinge arrangement incorporating the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the platform in a position immediately prior to being released for hinging movement about the right hinge member; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view similar to FIGS. 6 and 7 but showing the platform hinged about the right hinge member and completely released from the left so as to discharge a load from the platform.

Referring now to the drawings, the hinge arrangement 10 of the present invention is shown applied on a support structure 11 and a platform or member 12 supported thereon. The support structure 11 may be of the type which is rotatable about an axis parallel to the end edges thereof. The member 12 may be a covering or landing supporting structure which may require periodic displacement from the support structure.

The hinge arrangement 10 for supporting the member 12 on the support structure 11 includes a pintle sub-assembly 15 fastened to the support structure 1 1 and a hook l6 fastened to the platform 12.

The pintle sub-assemblies 15 each includes a pair of spaced brackets 17 having upright legs 18 and horizontal legs 19 which are fixedly secured to the platform 11. Adjacent the upper ends, the upright legs 18 are each formed with outwardly projecting ears 19a in which there is seated within aligned openings 20 as by means of a force fit a pintle pin 21. The pintle pin 21 is mounted so that the longitudinal axis thereof is substantially parallel to the surface of the support structure The books 16 may be made from plate material and are securely fastened to the underside of the member 12 along the opposite marginal edge portions thereof. The hooks or hinge lock members 16 are each formed with a slot 22 extending generally horizontal in the plate and terminating at the inner end thereof in a pintle receiving socket 23. The slot 22 is formed at the other end with a generally downwardly inclined opening 24 defined between the terminal end 26 of a hook shaped section 27 and an upper downwardly inclined edge 28. Intermediate the opening 24 and the pintle receiving socket 23, the slot 22 is substantially arcuate with a section 31 at a radius coincident with a segment of the periphery of the pin 21 to accommodate the pintle pin 21 therein. As shown, the hooks 16 are mounted so that the open ends 24 face toward the center of the member 12.

In the normal support position the member 12 overlies the support structure 11 as shown in FIG. 1. In this position the pintles 21 are seated in the sections 31 in the slots 22 so that the platform 12 and support structure 11 are restrained against lateral movement. To displace the platform 12 from the normal horizontal position, the platform 12 is moved laterally and raised along one of the edges thereof. This may be accomplished if the support structure 1 1 is susceptible thereof, by rotating the support structure 11 as shown in FIG. 4. When thus rotated, the influence of gravity on the member 12 causes the hinge lock plates 16 fixed thereto to slide downwardly on the pintle pins 21 out of the sections 31 so that these uppermost lock plates 16 accommodate the associated pintle pin 21 in the pintle receiving sockets 23. The lower pintle 16 at the same time is displaced outwardly through the slot opening 24, and is thereby released from the confines of the slot 22. In this connection it is to be noted that the inclined edge 28 of the slot 22 serves to guide the lower pintle 21 into the relative position shown.

Thereafter, upon further rotation of the support structure 11 to the position shown in FIG. 5, the uppermost pintle pin 21 which is locked within the confines of the socket 23 provides a hinge connection about which the member 12 is free to swing. In this manner the member 12 is separated from the support structure while at the same time remaining hingedly connected along one edge.

To return the member 12 to the position shown in FIG. 1, the support structure 1 1 is turned to a horizontal position, the lower most pintle pin 21 initially engages within the slot 22 through the opening 24. As the support structure approaches the horizontal, the edges 27 and 28 are operative to reseat the pintle pins 21 in the section 31 to restrain the member 12 against lateral movement relative to the support structure 1 1.

Obviously, hinging movement of the member 12 about the edge opposite to the one as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and may be accomplished by rotating the support structure 11 counter-clockwise. When thus rotated, the hinge elements relocate in a manner similar to that described in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5.

While the hinge arrangement of the present invention has been described in association with a rotating support structure, it should be clearly understood that the arrangements may be used in other types of structures. For example, the support structure may be stationary and means may be provided to move the member laterally and lift one of the edges of the member above the opposite edge. Under these conditions the hinge arrangement would function in the same manner as described above in connection with the rotatable support structure.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate an embodiment of the hinge arrangement 50 used with a stationary support structure. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8 the elements similar to the elements of FIGS. 1-5 have been designated with like reference characters.

The hinge arrangement 50 as shown is employed with a stationary support structure including two transversely spaced and stationary supports 51. Horizontally disposed between the supports 51 and supported by the hinge arrangement 50 is a work or load-receiving platform 52. The work-receiving platform 52 may have a load or any type of work piece A carried thereon which is periodically discharged therefrom as by sliding movement. To this end the platform 52 may be provided with rollers 53 or the like to facilitate the sliding movement by reducing the friction.

The hinge arrangement 50 includes the pintle sub-assemblies l5 fixed to the platform 52 and hooks 53 fastened to the support members 51.

The pintle sub-assemblies are suitably fastened along the opposite platform sides 54 by bolting or welding the legs 18 thereto. The pintle 21 is supported in a horizontal lengthwise extending position between the projecting flanges 19 of the legs 18.

The hooks 53 may be made from sheet plate and are securely fixed as by welding along the associated verticzd edge to the supports 51. The hooks extend generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the platform 52 and are each formed with a slot 56. The slot 56 extends generally horizontally and receives the pintles 21 therein. As shown, the slots 56 are closed at the outer ends 57 adjacent the platform and are formed with an opening 58 at the inner end through which the pintle 21 passes as more fully to be explained hereinafter.

The closed end 57 of the slot is formed with a recess to provide a pintle receiving socket 59in which the pintle seats during hinging movement. Intermediate the closed end 57 and the opening 58 the slot 56 is substantially V-shaped to provide a recess 61 in which the pintle 21 normally rests as shown in FIG. 6. Adjacent the opening 58 the slot 56 is inclined downwardly to define an inclined passage which serves to guide the pintle 21 through the slot 58. To assure clearance of the pintle 21 from the opening 58, the bracket adjacent the latter is provided with a vertically disposed inclined ledge 62.

Assuming that a load A is supported on the platform 52 and it is desired to discharge it to the left as seen in FIG. 8, a horizontal force is applied to move the platform to the left by suitable means not shown. As the platform moves the pintles 21 slide in the associated slots 56 whereupon the right side pintle 21 is elevated above the left side pintle 21 by the upwardly inclined leg of the V section of the slot 56 to the position shown in FIG. 7.

In this position the right side pintle 21 is disposed in the pintle-receiving socket 59 and the left side pintle 21 is disposed in the opening 58. The platform 52 is thus free to swing by the force of gravity about the hinge connection on the right side provided by the pintle 21 and the socket 59 in the hinge plate 53. It is to be noted that the right side pintle is in a locked position while the lefi side pintle is in an unlocked or open position. The platform 52 then swings to the position of FIG. 8 so that the load A is discharged therefrom.

To return the platform to the position of FIG. 6, an upward force is applied on the left end of the platform 52 to swing the latter about the right side pintle 21. When the left side pintle 21 reenters the slot opening 58, a force is imposed to move the platfonn to the right until both pintles are again seated in the intermediate sections 53.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it is believed one versed in the art may readily understand the operation of the structure as set forth in the accompanying claims.

We claim:

1. A hinge arrangement for supporting a member on a support structure along opposite sides, and for selective hinging movement about either one of said sides, said hinge arrangement comprising, hinge elements, including a pintle, mounted on opposite sides of said support structure, and cooperative hinge elements, including an arcuate slot, secured along opposite sides of said members, said arcuate slot having a curved section at a radius substantially coincident with a segment of the periphery of the pintle, and said pintle being disposed in said section in the horizontally supporting position of said member, said hinge elements and said cooperative hinge elements being formed so as to be laterally movable relative to each other with said pintle moving in said slot from said horizontally supporting position to a locked position along one side, and to an unlocked position along the other side.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said hinge elements and said cooperative hinge elements comprise said arcuate slot having an open end and a closed end, and said pintle means disposed in said slot for lateral movement relative thereto.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said slot has a section of inverted V-shape.

4. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said slot hm a section which is substantially V-shaped.

5. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said open end of said slot is disposed adjacent said sides of said member.

6. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said open end of said slot is disposed remote from said sides of said member.

7. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein one of said pintle means is disposed in the closed end of said 

1. A hinge arrangement for supporting a member on a support structure along opposite sides, and for selective hinging movement about either one of said sides, said hinge arrangement comprising, hinge elements, including a pintle, mounted on opposite sides of said support structure, and cooperative hinge elements, including an arcuate slot, secured along opposite sides of said members, said arcuate slot having a curved section at a radius substantially coincident with a segment of the periphery of the pintle, and said pintle being disposed in said section in the horizontally supporting position of said member, said hinge elements and said cooperative hinge elements being formed so as to be laterally movable relative to each other with said pintle moving in said slot from said horizontally supporting position to a locked position along one side, and to an unlocked position along the other side.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said hinge elements and said cooperative hinge elements comprise said arcuate slot having an open end and a closed end, and said pintle means disposed in said slot for lateral movement relative thereto.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said slot has a section of inverted V-shape.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said slot has a section which is substantially V-shaped.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said open end of said slot is disposed adjacent said sides of said member.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said open end of said slot is disposed remote from said sides of said member.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein one of said pintle means is disposed in the closed end of said slot, and the other of said pintle means is disposed adjacent said open end and outside of said slot so as to be free to be separated by gravity when rotated on the axis of said support. 